Solid ankle foot base



Oct. 25, 1932. c DAVlEs 1,884,588

SOLID ANKLE FOOT BASE Filed July 3, 1951 uy Z.

INVENTOR WIYNESS df/QTTORNEY Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNITED STATES CHARLES H. DAVIES, OF PHILADELPHIA, IENNSYLVANIA SOLID ANKLE room BABE Application filed July 3, 1931. Serial No. 548,643.

The object of this invention is to provide an ankle joint for use in connection with the artificial limb disclosed in my application Serial No. 369,421, it being assumed that the tubular metallic portion of the limb has been formed by the machine described in application Serial No. 371,085, or otherwise suitably formed.

A further object is to provide an ankle '10 construction in which a light weight but highly serviceable material is emplo ed, such as aluminum alloy, and to provi e for so maintaining the shape, adjustment, and

' rmanent lubrication of the elements that 55 but little attention is required during the life of the article, and no attention whatever need be given to lubrication, because the ball bearings are sealed and housed in a solid ankle base of special construction.

A further object is to provide an assembly wherein an unskilled individual may renew any parts needing attention, such as the elements of gum rubber and hard felt, referred to in further detail.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction disclosed and claimed, it being understood that modifications or alterations may be made within the scope of the claim end of the shin member and insuring the correct and permanent shape thereof with reference to the upper portion of the foot member or casting.

50 Figure 5 shows a ball bearing in perspecwithout departing from the spirit of the 7 metallic base, to be secured within the lower tive, of the proportions required for mounting in the box 33 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the threaded stem apertured for the transverse bolt of Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 7 shows the transverse bolt detached.

Figure 8 illustrates one of the sleeves of Figure 3, the sleeves being used on opposite sides of the apertured portion of the vertical s em.

Figure 9 is a detail view of one of the screws adapted to enter bores in the ends of the transverse bolt, and retain the rincipal elements of the device in proper re ative positlon, as will appear from an inspection of Figure 3.

The metallic foot, made from pressed metal or a single casting or the like, and of substantially hollow construction, includes a lower portion 10 below the instep, an upper portion 11, a rear heel portion 12, and a. lower heel portion 13. Upstanding solid and tubular elements 14 and 15 serve the purpose indicated below. A lower recess is provided by the walls 16, 17, 18, and the lower end of bolt extends into this recess and is engaged by nut 21. No obstruction below the bottom of the foot member can result, under these conditions.

A tubular metallic shin element is proportioned to be received within the edge ortions 11 and 12', and a solid base cast rom aluminum alloy fits within the lower end of the element 25, and is secured thereto by rivets 26. The base includes a top 27 having an opening 28 therein, a tapered edge appearing at 29 and a flange 30 taking a part of the vertical strain which would otherwise be mostly on the rivets, so far as the metallic structure is concerned.

The base further includes boxes 33 for raceways 3& housing ball members 35, and a steel washer 36 hermetically seals lubricating material in the bearing, on each side of the foot, and avoids the necessity of further lubrication during the life of the article.

Transverse bolt 37 passes through the bearings and through the apertured head 38 of vertical stem 20, the latter being retained by nut 21 as before indicated. Sleeves 30' inclose the bolt andabut the head 38 and the raceways, and screws 40 enter opposite ends of the bolt 37, and provide for the relatively close adjustment of the movable elements, so that no lost motion need result.

5 A hard felt bumper is secured by screws 41 to the element 27 and bears on a member of gum rubber designated 42 and received by a recessed end of upstanding member 14. A suitable instep action is thus provided, this bein important in connection with the cushion movement permitted toward the heel.

Lu 27 enters bore 43 in the upper curved end 0 element 44 of gum rubber, and the latter is received and held by upstanding mem- 15 her 15 before referred to. A guided resilient action is thus secured.

What I claim is: A device of the class described comprising ankle andfoot portions, a flanged base fitting so in the ankle portion and secured thereto, apertured bearing ears on the base and extending into the foot portion, a stem secured to the foot portion and having an apertured end, a bolt extending through the apertured end of the stem and the bearing ears, sleeves on said bolt and abutting the stem and extending through the bearing ears, anti-friction bearings mounted in said ears and on the bolt, plates engaging the bearings and retaining the latter in the ears and engaging the ends of the bolt, and headed fasteners detachably secured to the ends of the bolt and bearing against the plate. a a In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CHARLES H. DAVIES. 

